Dr. John D. Vanko of Sharon passed away at 6:00 p.m. Friday, December 8, 2017, in the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System. He was 86.

Dr. Vanko was born March 24, 1931, in Sharon, a son of John and Susanna (Klukulciak) Vanko. He was a 1949 graduate of Hickory High School and completed his premedical school at Youngstown College. In 1954, John earned his Doctorate of Podiatry from Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine, Cleveland, OH. John practiced for 53 years, which included 25 years at his office in Millersburg, OH and retiring from his office in Masury, OH after 20 years in 2008.

John was an active member of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, Hermitage. His strong faith was also shown in his passion for writing. He also enjoyed making neck ties and pies.

He is survived by his wife or 44 years, the former Beverly Kloss, whom he married on December 8, 1973. Also surviving is four daughters, Patty (Dennis) Kackos, Sedona, AZ; Linda (Jerry) Piergiovanni, Etna, OH; Marilyn (Matt) Moore, Hubbard, OH; and Nancy (Henry) Wawak, Annapolis, MD; five grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and one great-great granddaughter.

John was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Carol Wright; four sisters; and two brothers.

Calling hours will be 1:30 to 3 p.m. Wednesday (12/13/2017) in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 East State St., Sharon . Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.McGonigleFuneralHomeand Crematory.com .

A funeral talk will be 3 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home lead by Tim Davenport from Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, Hermitage.

Burial: America's Cemetery, Hermitage.